Sophia Barkalakis’ Top 20 Sets of 2025

It’s that time of the year to look back at all the live performances I’ve experienced and try to pick my Top 20. This year seemed even harder as I saw many artists I have seen multiple times already. Given that I don’t like to add artists to my lists twice, this made it challenging to choose but also a great exercise in identifying what truly stood out. I saw 194 live sets in 2025, adding new festivals and revisiting some favorites.
After six years, I was finally in town to catch Capitol Hill Block Party again, attended FVDED in the Park in Vancouver BC with highlights Kaytranada and Tiësto, and enjoyed Thing Festival, which experimented with hosting four Saturdays in August at Remlinger Farms. The new festival I really enjoyed was Project Pabst, which took place at the Waterfront in Portland. There we saw an indie fan’s dream lineup that included Mannequin Pussy, Devo, Iggy Pop, Built to Spill, Japanese Breakfast, and Death Cab for Cutie. Two stages, no conflicts, unlimited Pabst, and amazing music.
Seattle continued to host and promote its vibrant music community this year. Venues like Baba Yaga, Addaball, and Hidden Hall became more prominent in the scene, hosting many shows. Our favorites included Kuinka, Dark Chisme, Zookraught, Caitlin and Brent, Coral Grief, Weep Wave, Naked Giants, Mountain Holler, Betsy Olson Band, Spirit Award, and Kate Dinsmore. December closed out for us with an incredible live show from Thunderpussy and Mike McCready.

20. Cosmic Kitten
Addaball – 11/7
Cosmic Kitten brought a blast of high‑energy punk to Addaball during Freakout Fest, turning the arcade into a buzzing, sweaty, neon-lit whirlwind. The Los Angeles band has been steadily building a reputation for their raw, emotionally charged sound, and this set showed exactly why they’re becoming a must‑see act. Their blend of grunge, punk, and melodic hooks hit especially hard in such an intimate space. It felt like catching a band right before they break wider, and the crowd fed off every second of their intensity.

19. Arty
Hiyu – 6/6
Seeing Arty perform on the Hiyu as it cruised across Lake Washington at sunset was a surreal experience. His euphoric progressive house sound paired perfectly with the shifting colors of the sky and the gentle movement of the boat. Arty has long been known for his emotional, melodic productions, and hearing them in such a unique setting made the night unforgettable. There truly is no party without Arty, and this floating dancefloor proved it.

18. NAF Revival Party
NAF Studios – 3/8
Returning to the legendary NAF Studios warehouse after more than 22 years felt like stepping into a time capsule. We dusted off our old raver gear—candy, glitter, glowsticks, cameras—and reunited with friends we hadn’t seen since the early 2000s. Hearing Donald Glaude and DJ Flave again in that same space was a rush of nostalgia mixed with pure joy. The night reminded us why this warehouse was such a cornerstone of Seattle’s rave history, and the Revival lived up to its name in every way.

17. Fcukers
CHBP – 7/19
Fcukers have been on my radar since SXSW last year and seeing them finally hit Capitol Hill Block Party was a thrill. Their chaotic, high‑octane energy immediately grabbed the crowd and never let go. The band’s sharp wit and confrontational stage presence made the set feel both unpredictable and exhilarating. It was one of those performances where you could sense the audience collectively realizing they were witnessing a breakout moment.

16. Spoon Benders
Madame Lou’s – 3/2
Spoon Benders delivered one of the most hypnotic sets of Freakout Weekender, filling Madame Lou’s with swirling psychedelic riffs and heavy, fuzz‑drenched grooves. Their sound sits somewhere between psych‑rock, doom, and garage, and it translated beautifully in the dark, intimate room. The band’s stage presence was commanding, pulling the crowd deeper into their sonic world with each song. It was a performance that left people buzzing long after the final note.

15. Kim Deal
Neptune Theatre – 3/24
Kim Deal’s tour for her first solo album Nobody Loves You More was a gift to longtime fans. As the original bassist of the Pixies and the frontwoman of The Breeders, Deal carries decades of alt‑rock history with her, and she brought that warmth and authenticity to the Neptune. Her new material felt intimate and personal, while her storytelling between songs added a layer of charm only she can deliver. It was a rare chance to see a legend in such a heartfelt, vulnerable mode.

14. Eric Prydz
Showbox SoDo – 4/5
Eric Prydz transformed Showbox SoDo into a pulsating, cinematic world of light and sound celebrating the 20th anniversary of Pryda. Known for his meticulous production and progressive house mastery, Prydz delivered a set that felt both massive and deeply immersive. Each build and drop was crafted with precision, creating waves of energy that moved through the crowd. It was one of the most technically impressive electronic shows of the year.

13. Kylie Minogue
Climate Pledge Arena – 4/25
Kylie Minogue’s Tension Tour was pure pop spectacle from start to finish. With dazzling visuals, flawless choreography, and a setlist packed with hits, she reminded everyone why she remains one of the greatest pop performers of our time. Her new material blended seamlessly with classics, keeping the energy high throughout the night. The crowd danced nonstop, and Kylie delivered every moment with effortless charisma.

12. Laurel
Barboza – 4/3
Laurel’s performance felt like being invited into a private dreamscape. Her warm vocals and atmospheric production created a golden‑hour glow inside the room. The Music for Sunsets Tour showcased her evolution as a songwriter, blending indie pop with lush, emotional textures. It was an intimate, heartfelt set that left the audience completely captivated. Scream.Drive.Faster.

11. Khruangbin
WaMu Theater – 5/27
Khruangbin’s A La Sala Tour brought their signature blend of global grooves and atmospheric guitar work to WaMu Theater. The trio’s chemistry was as tight as ever, weaving together funk, soul, and psychedelic influences with effortless cool. Kat Borderud’s lighting design created an open, airy visual world that made the entire show feel like drifting through a dream. It was a transportive experience that showcased the band’s unique ability to create space and mood.

10. Scowl
Barboza – 7/22
Scowl’s hardcore ferocity shook Barboza to its core. Their evolution into a genre‑bending force—balancing aggression with melody—was on full display throughout the night. The band released one of the best albums this year and the Are We All Angels Tour alongside Glixen was a riot. The band’s stage presence was electric, with vocalist Kat Moss commanding the room from the first scream to the last. It was one of the most cathartic and high‑energy sets of the year.

9. Lambrini Girls
The Crocodile – 10/5
Lambrini Girls delivered a riotous, politically charged performance that turned The Crocodile into a frenzy. Their sharp humor and confrontational punk energy made the set feel both chaotic and purposeful. As their final U.S. date of the Who Let the Dogs Out tour, the band left everything onstage, feeding off the crowd’s wild enthusiasm. It was loud, unhinged, and unforgettable.

8. Hayla
Neumos – 2/22
Hayla’s voice is one of the most powerful in electronic music right now, and her Neumos performance proved it. Known for her collaborations with artists like John Summit, she brought a soaring emotional intensity to every track. Her ability to blend vulnerability with dance‑floor energy made the set feel both intimate and explosive. It was a standout moment early in the year.

7. Underworld
Showbox SoDo – 5/20
Underworld delivered a transcendent electronic set that reminded everyone why they’re legends of the genre. Their seamless blend of techno, ambient, and rave classics created a hypnotic atmosphere that kept the crowd moving from start to finish. Karl Hyde’s vocals and Rick Smith’s production felt as fresh and vital as ever. It was a masterclass in electronic performance. Watching Hyde dance around and feel it in his bones was pure joy.

6. Jack White
Paramount Theatre – 5/19
Jack White’s first night at the Paramount was a whirlwind of blues, punk, and rock theatrics. His unpredictable setlist and raw guitar work kept the audience on edge in the best way. White’s ability to shift from delicate acoustic moments to explosive riffs showcased his range as a performer. It was a night that reminded everyone why he remains one of rock’s most compelling live acts.

5. Ludovico Einaudi
Paramount Theatre – 10/20
Ludovico Einaudi’s minimalist compositions filled the Paramount with breathtaking emotional weight. His delicate piano work created a sense of stillness that held the audience in complete silence. The Summer Portraits Tour highlighted his ability to evoke deep feeling with the simplest of melodies. It was one of the most moving performances of the year.

4. Geese
Showbox Market – 10/24
Geese brought their art‑rock chaos to Showbox Market with a set that felt sharp, theatrical, and wildly inventive. Their unpredictable song structures and frenetic energy kept the crowd fully engaged. The band’s willingness to experiment made the performance feel alive and spontaneous. It was one of the most musically adventurous shows I saw all year. Ever since we got turned on to them in early 2022 we’ve been waiting to see them live. With the release of Getting Killed they exploded into the mainstream and named one of the best bands.

3. Amyl and the Sniffers
Paramount Theatre – 3/27
Amyl and the Sniffers exploded onto the Paramount stage with a ferocity that only they can deliver. Since we last saw them in 2022, the world has caught up to their wild punk energy, and the sold‑out crowd was ready. Amy Taylor commanded the stage with her signature swagger, turning the venue into a full‑throttle punk celebration. The next day’s KEXP set only confirmed their unstoppable momentum.

2. Die Spitz
Baba Yaga – 10/11
Die Spitz delivered two nights of pure chaos at Baba Yaga, both completely sold out. Their snarling punk presence and feral energy made each show feel like a controlled explosion. Something to Consume is one of the best releases this year and this band is becoming unstoppable. The intimacy of the venue amplified every scream, riff, and stomp. It was one of the most unforgettable performances of the year. Don’t sleep on catching them when they return to the Neptune in April.

1. Patti Smith
Paramount Theatre – 11/10
Patti Smith’s 50th anniversary performance of Horses was nothing short of historic. Taking place on the exact release date of the album, the show carried a profound sense of reverence and celebration. Smith’s voice, presence, and poetry felt as powerful as ever, reminding us why Horses remains one of the most influential records of all time. It was a night that transcended nostalgia and became a living, breathing moment of musical history. Hearing “Because the Night” live was a highlight I won’t be forgetting any time soon. What a legend.